Rugby World Cup 2011: France told to believe in destiny

Speaking ahead of the Rugby World Cup final against New Zealand, France's
Imanol Harinordoquy says that it is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

France's number eight, Imanol Harinordoquy, said "to play in a World Cup final, that's never happened to me before and I don't think it will happen again. Given the context, being able to play in New Zealand, against the All Blacks, in a World Cup final.

"In itself, playing in a World Cup was something I dreamed of as a child," he added.

But he warned that France have a lot to do to have a chance of winning the Webb Ellis Cup.

"We're going to have to remain composed, keep a cool head, and try not to focus on the context of what's at stake, on the feelings in the run up to the match," Harinordoquy said.

He added that France may be being written off in all corners but this campaign has been anything but predictable and they had a chance to do something special for France.

"We've lost two pool matches. In the match against the English we rose to the challenge. We probably shouldn't have won the match against Wales but we did and here we are. So that's what we need to focus on. This is our journey, our history, we need to believe in our own destiny."

The All Blacks are overwhelming favourites to lift the Webb Ellis Cup but France have beaten New Zealand in two of the last three Rugby World Cups, knocking them out of the tournament in the semi finals in 1999 and in the quarter finals in 2007.